Alternator Removal trouble...HELP? (Pictures) - United Bimmer Community

**delmarco** · 07-20-2008, 02:18 PM

Having lots of trouble getting the old one out.
Bentley makes it seem easier than it is. Bentley also claims it is held in place by two bolts. I found three (!?)

My problems are all the bolts are tight, I have no idea which direction to turn to release them and the upper tensior pulley seems to be connect to the Alternator with a big bronze bolt. How do you remove it?

Also what is this extra piece here-(red arrows)?; It seems bolted onto the Alternator was well.

**3050rpm** · 07-20-2008, 04:30 PM

The Bentley may not be entirely accurate, or perhaps it should be said that subtle variations in production runs can mean the difference between what Bentley shows and what you're experiencing. Nonetheless, when I did mine, I don't think it was that big a job, but I certainly had to use something like Liquid Wrench and really let those bolts soak, they were in there pretty tight. I can't recall for sure, but the direction of the bolts may well have been counter to the usual, to compensate for the direction of the belts.

**Antiburn** · 07-21-2008, 05:33 PM

All the alternator bolts loosen normaly, counter clockwise. The tensoner is a longer bolt which will take a bit of turning to remove. Make sure you disconnect your battery.
Also important, do not uber tighten the alternator bolts, I have seen that happen and the alternator actually crushes in on its self causing it to burn up.